Greek Village Expands At SDSU

It's no secret the South Dakota State Campus is growing, but some land on 20th Avenue has been empty for a long time.

"Back in the 1970s, those plots of land were set a side," SDSU Vice President of Student Affairs Marysz Rames said.

Two SDSU Fraternities claimed spots right away.

"Because of the way the land was configured, the other Greek chapters had a hard time getting a loan to build on the ground," Rames said.

After working with the State College Development Association, leasing the land became more affordable. Many of the chapters who were looking to build houses could.

"We've had plans, fundraising with our alumni. It's been a lot of work on our housing cores part more so then our own," Alpha Xi Delta member Keeli Eberhart said.

For sororities like Alpha Xi Delta, building a house in the SDSU Greek Village was more then just finding a place to call home.

"Students will be able to see that our Greek life isn't just something that operates in the background. It's going to be, 'Yes, we are here. We're on campus and we're trying to make life better for our members,'" Eberhart said.

And for SDSU, the start of the village is all part of a bigger plan.

"We've been working on our residential plan and this is just another piece of that plan where the Greek Village gives a different residential experience for our students," Rames said.

And Eberhart, who will be moving in to the 16-resident house this August, is mostly excited to get to know her neighbors.

"I don't know Alpha Gamma Rho or Farm House very well so I am hoping now we have a house, we'll be spending a bit more time together," Eberhart said.

Students can expect to see more activity in Greek Village. Two other plots have been leased; construction on one of those starts this fall.